Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St John Paul II

Who is Saint John Paul II? Why is he so significant to the Diocese of Parramatta?

Who is Saint John Paul II? Why is he so significant to the Diocese of Parramatta?

Well, did you know that JPII founded the Diocese of Parramatta and is the Father of WYD? Not only that but Saint John Paul II is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe.

He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history.

Saint John Paul II’s cause for canonisation commenced in 2005, one month after his death, with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. On 19 December 2009, Saint John Paul II was proclaimed Venerable by his successor Pope Benedict XVI and was beatified on 1 May 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to his intercession, the healing of a French nun from Parkinson’s disease. A second miracle attributed to John Paul II’s intercession was approved on 2 July 2013, and confirmed by Pope Francis two days later (two miracles must be attributed to a person’s intercession to be declared a saint).

Saint John Paul II was canonised on 27 April 2014, together with Pope John XXIII.